Lakmé Fashion Week

The award-winning airline will join the highly acclaimed designer at India’s leading fashion event for the unveiling of his winter collection, taking place in the country’s commercial capital from 24 - 28 August.

Etihad Airways has teamed up with
renowned Indian fashion designer Manish Malhotra to showcase the artiste’s
latest collection at the forthcoming Lakmé Fashion Week in Mumbai.

Known for designing lavish costumes
for Bollywood film stars and Indian cinema for more than two decades, Manish
Malhotra has captured the imagination of fashionistas around the world.

His opening night show on August 24, ‘Etihad Airways Presents Manish Malhotra’,
will be shot in virtual reality allowing viewers to feel the excitement of
being present at the show, whether backstage, front row or at the post-show
party. It comes just months after Etihad Airways used the pioneering technology
to give viewers unprecedented access to the airline’s award-winning Airbus A380
by immersing them in the aircraft cabins in a virtual reality film ‘Reimagine’ featuring Hollywood actress
Nicole Kidman.

The collaboration with Manish Malhotra
is the latest initiative by the Abu Dhabi-based airline following its
recently-announced sponsorship efforts to become the fashion industry’s
preferred airline. This will help further elevate the airline’s premium brand
positioning alongside the world’s most revered luxury brands.

Earlier this year, Etihad Airways
struck a comprehensive global agreement with WME | IMG
as a long-term partner of the fashion industry, connecting the airline with the
fashion capitals of the world. The agreement is the first multinational,
multi-year airline sponsorship supporting the fashion industry.

Mumbai is the latest stop in Etihad
Airways’ global fashion sponsorship, supporting 17 fashion week events in
London, Milan, Sydney, New York and Mumbai, worldwide every year. It follows on
from the airline’s recent participation at the Mercedes-Benz
Fashion Week Berlin and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia.

The
tie-up with Manish Malhotra, announced at a Press Conference in Mumbai today
featuring an exclusive preview of his new collection, is the second designer
collaboration for Etihad Airways after the successful partnership with the
Oscar de la Renta fashion house in Australia earlier this summer.

“We are therefore delighted to
collaborate with Manish Malhotra, one of India’s most celebrated fashion
designers, for his opening night event at Lakmé Fashion Week. It promises to be
a remarkable show featuring the same VR technology that we premiered with our
recent A380 film Reimagine.”

Addressing the Press Conference,
Manish Malhotra commented: "I am delighted to be partnering with Etihad
Airways as two future forward brands come together. This will be the very first
fashion show that will give viewers an experience beyond frontiers, space and
time."

Neerja
Bhatia, Etihad Airways Vice President Indian Subcontinent, added: “Etihad
Airways is a proud partner of India with the largest international network of
flights connecting India and the world, with our strategic partner Jet Airways.
Together with our award-winning A380 recently introduced on the Mumbai – Abu
Dhabi route featuring The Residence, a stylish and iconic three-room suite in
the air, this is a perfect fit for high flyers from the fashion industry.

“Etihad
Airways truly encompasses all areas of design, innovation and style to become
the ultimate premium lifestyle airline. Our A380 service from Mumbai to Abu
Dhabi and onwards to New York provides a seamless service to and from these
leading fashion cities onboard our luxurious aircraft.”

Lakmé Fashion Week is Etihad Airways’ second major partnership
in India following on from its sponsorship of the Mumbai Indians, one of the
most successful cricket franchise teams in the Indian Premier League.